Freedom Is Within You - Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neal Hurston &amp; Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison.

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Introduction

The narrator in Ralph Ellison's, Invisible Man and Janie, of Zora Neal Hurston's, Their Eyes are Watching God are both part of a culture which is constricted and confined by a hegemonious group. The narrator, as an African - American and Janie as a women, try to break the everyday constrictions they face by going through self exploration and their identity search. They find that the understanding of their individual ness brings them empowerment and liberation, setting them free from societies limitations. The narrator of Ralph Ellison's, Invisible Man struggles to find a way to release him from the bigotry that the white race puts upon him. The narrator spends the novel following a number of ideologies hoping that he can find acceptance and an escape from bigotry. He plays the role of the servile black man to the white men in Chapter One; he plays the industrious, uncomplaining disciple of Booker T. Washington during his college years; he agrees to act as the Brotherhood's black spokesperson, which allows the Brotherhood to use him. ...read more.

Middle

So after years of trying to adopt the opinions of others I finally rebelled. I am an invisible man" The essence of Janie, the main Character is Zora Neal Hurston's, Their Eyes Were Watching God is not only a search for self empowerment as an African American, but as a women. When we first and last see Janie, she is alone. The novel is not the story of her quest for a partner but rather that of her quest for a secure sense of independence. Janie finds independence by obtaining the one thing she desires in life, true love. Her desire for love is suppressed by a grandmother who wants to marry Janie off to security. Janie's first husband Logan a farmer, much older in age. Though he provides security she feels no love for him. He is pragmatic and monotonous. She yearns for a sense of adventure. Janie finds the antynom to Logan in Joe Starks. She finds running off to marry Jody the sense of adventure she had long been looking for. ...read more.

Conclusion

After Tea Cake steals her money he comes back promising her that they will share all of their experiences and opinions with each other. They move from Jacksonville to the everglades. This is another one of Janie's desires. is to be among the common people. She realized while with Jody that being upper class was not for her. She grew up common and couldn't change who she is. With Tea Cake, she finds true love as a commoner. This sets her free from the constriction of men. Just like Janie, the Narrator of Invisible Man finds the end of constriction in self understanding. Though the two characters are attempting to achieve different ending, they find their means to be the same. To set oneself from other's constriction one must recognize what it is they desire. With understanding one can take action. Without this they can only help but to fall into someone else's limitation. Freedom Is Within You An Essay By Sam Ginnis On Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neal Hurston & Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison October 19th, 2003 St. Thomas University English 101 Dr. Bouwman ...read more.

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